HEISMAN HYPE: Move over Jason White. Oklahoma's shocking letdown to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game not only changed the landscape of the BCS, but shook up the Heisman race. While White appeared to be a lock heading into the game, he opened the door for others with his poor play, and Larry Fitzgerald is the primary benefactor. Sure, he stumbled in the biggest game of the season against Miami, but all of the finalists are flawed. Fitzgerald is clearly the best player in college football and was trailing White only because of his and the Sooners' consistent dominance of their opponents in what looked like sure national title run. Now all that has changed.

2003
STATISTICS

G

Rec

Yds

Avg

TD

12

87

1,595

18.3

22

THANKS FOR THE INVITATION

JASON WHITE, QB, OKLAHOMA

HEISMAN HYPE: See above. Two interceptions in an embarrassing 35-7 loss to the Wildcats left White sitting on the bench and put an end to the magic surrounding the Sooners and their field leader. While he is sure to be in the running on Saturday, he doesn't have that intangible over Fitzgerald that he did before Kansas State.

2003
STATISTICS

G

Comp

Att

Yds

TD

INT

Rush

Yds

TD

13

265

414

3,744

40

8

35

-104

1

CHRIS PERRY, RB, MICHIGAN

HEISMAN HYPE: Chris Perry was the driving force for Michigan's recovery after two early-season losses and played a huge role in the Wolverines' Big Ten championship victory over archrival Ohio State. But he was nowhere to be found in Michigan's early loss to Oregon, which kept the Wolverines out of the national title picture and doesn't bode well for Perry's chances to take home the hardware.

2003
STATISTICS

G

Att

Yds

Avg

TD

Rec

Yds

TD

12

315

1,589

5

17

42

366

2

ELI MANNING, QB, OLE MISS

HEISMAN HYPE: Manning missed his Heisman moment when he tripped over an offensive lineman on the final drive the Rebels' finale loss to LSU. But that's no knock against this great quarterback. He won't win the Heisman, but he will certainly be a high draft pick next spring.